Cirrus SR22 veers off runway at Béziers following brake malfunction

Casualties unknown • Béziers (34), FR

A Cirrus SR22 GTS veered off the runway at Béziers airport after the left brake locked during landing, resulting in damage to the aircraft's wing and landing gear.

What happened

On February 2, 2016, a Cirrus SR22 GTS, registration PH-ANV, was conducting a private IFR flight from Ibiza, Spain, to Béziers airport in France. The aircraft was cleared for a GNSS approach to runway 27 and subsequently cleared for landing.

During the landing roll, the pilot experienced a mechanical issue where the left brake became locked. This malfunction caused the aircraft to veer to the left, leading it to exit the runway laterally. The aircraft crossed taxiway B and struck a runway holding position sign with its right wing. There were no fatalities or injuries among the two occupants, but the aircraft sustained damage to the right wing and the landing gear.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the sequence of events following the landing and the mechanical failure reported by the pilot. The investigation established that the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were favorable, with CAVOK conditions, a light wind of 230 degrees at 5 knots, and a temperature of 16 °C.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the excursion was the locking of the left brake during the landing roll.
  • The resulting asymmetric braking force caused the aircraft to deviate from the runway centerline and exit the paved surface.

Probable cause

The aircraft veered off the runway because the left brake locked during the landing roll, causing a loss of directional control.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-02-02 Cirrus SR22 GTS accident near Béziers (34), FR?

A Cirrus SR22 GTS veered off the runway at Béziers airport after the left brake locked during landing, resulting in damage to the aircraft's wing and landing gear.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-02-02 involved a Cirrus SR22 GTS, registration PH-ANV, at Béziers (34), FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft veered off the runway because the left brake locked during the landing roll, causing a loss of directional control.

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